BIGGER than Texas, Sharleen Spiteri is going it alone, leaving behind her band of two decades to undertake her first solo tour.

Opening with dates in her native Scotland last weekend, and taking in Sheffield City Hall tonight and Harrogate International Centre on Monday, Sharleen is performing songs from her debut album, supplemented by a few Texas hits.

Described by the NME as a “succulent record of Dusty Springfield-isms”, the gold-selling Melody went top three last July, spawning the singles All The Times I Cried, Stop I Don’t Love You Anymore and the December digital release of the Northern Soul-echoing It Was You.

Not only did Sharleen write the record, she also produced it. Steeped in the sound and textures of Sixties’ soul, Fifties’ rock’n’roll and doo-wop, Melody is vintage in flavour but contemporary in spirit.

“I’ve always wanted to make a Nancy Sinatra record,” she says. “That was never going to happen with Texas, but being on my own meant I could take complete control and make the kind of album I’ve always dreamed of.

“That’s what Melody is all about. It’s my dream Nancy and Lee Hazlewood record, but with Johnny Cash, Motown, Elvis, The Righteous Brothers, all these things thrown in. That’s what it boils down to. My ultimate personal fantasy record.”

Doors open for Monday’s show at 6.45pm. Tickets cost £26.91 on 0845 130 8840 or online at www.harrogateboxoffice.co.uk.